Armrest for intravenous injections



Dec. 16, 1 41- A. J. MAZZEO ETAL I -ARMREST FOR INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS Filed Nov. 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnbe nior J /%z Z260 7420719 Felt/440W Aiiorrzu,

Dec. 16, 1941. J.'MAZZEO ETAL.

ARMREST FOR INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS Filed Nov. 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 7/90 d are A iiorney Patented Dec. 16, 1941 ARMREST FOR INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS Anthony J. Mazzeo and Theodore lteichbaum,

Easton,

Application November 27, 1940, Serial No. 367,468

4 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to the art of intravenous therapy, and more particularly the invention has reference to what may be termed a splint, the object, intent and purpose of the same being to hold the arm of a patient in a position, against movement, most advantageous for the administration of intravenous infusions and transfusions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character whereby such infusions and transfusions may be administered with ciliciency even while a patient is in the progress of being moved or transported from one location to another.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a splint embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the splint at the elbow clamp-equipped part thereof.

Figure 4 is a. transverse sectional view through the splint and a pad slidably mounted thereon.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that in thepreferred embodiment thereof the splint embodies a relatively rigid base member or board 5 that is generally oblong, flat, but reduced in' width, intermediate its ends, if desirable, as clearly suggested in Figures 1 and 2.

The board 5 is adapted to have placed thereon the arm of the patient, and the forearm adjacent the wrist is supported on a substantially wedgeshaped block 6 that is adjustable longitudinally of the board 5.

The surface of the block 6 is covered with sponge rubber, or similar material 8, so as to provide a cushion for the part of the arm resting thereon.

As shown in Figure 4, the block or rest 6 is provided on the underside thereof with ribs I that work in longitudinal grooves 9 provided therefor in the board 5.

At opposite sides of each groove 9 the board 5 is provided with ways It in which are accommodated ribs II that extend laterally from a rib I of the rest 6.

For retaining the members H in the ways In,

there are fastened by suitable fastening elements I 2 to the top of the board 5 retaining plates l3 that overlie the ways III as shown in Figure 4.

Also mounted on the board 5 atthe end thereof shaped rest 14 and upon which the arm of the patient above the elbow rests; the rest member 14, in the present instance, being preferably composed wholly of sponge rubber or suitable material and adhesively or otherwise secured to the top surface of the board 5.

Intermediate the rests 6 and I4 the splint is equipped with a clamp [5 that accommodates the arm at about the elbow.

The clamp I5 embodies a relatively fixed member l6 and a complemental member ll that is adjustable laterally with respect to the board 5 toward and away from the clamp member It.

The clamp member I! is provided on the underside thereof with mortise tongues l8 that work in mortise grooves [9 provided therefor in the board 5 and extending transversely of the board.

The clamp member I! is secured at the desired position of adjustment through the medium of a vertically slidable latch member 20 carried by the member I! and working through a suitably provided guide 2|. The latch member 20 coacts with a rack 22 provided on the board 5 intermediate the grooves I9 as shown to advantage in Figures 1 and 3.

The clamp I5 is lined with a sheet 23 of sponge rubber and the elbow is secured in the clamp after proper adjustment of the clamp member I! through themedium of a retaining strap 24 that is trained through guides 25 provided on the upper edges of the clamp members l6 and I1, and then buckled, as clearly shown in Figure 3.

Also, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is secured to the rest 6 an adjustable strap 26 to assist in holding the hand in contact with the heel of the rest 6, and in this connection it will be noted that one section of the strap 26 is provided with an opening 2! through which the thumb of the patient is passed as shown,

It will thus be seen from the description thus far that practically the'entire arm is supported on the splint and is secured in clamped position thereon as to prevent untoward movement of the arm. This is, of course, advantageous since in the administration of an intravenous infusion or a transfusion the slightest movement to the arm is dangerous since such often results in causing the syringe needle to perforate the vein and cause a hematoma, or infiltration of blood into the superficial tissues, causing a great deal of pain.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is secured to the board 5 at opposite edges remote from the rest 6 is a substantially wedgethereof the base ends of standards 28 that serve to support at opposite sides of the member longitudinally extending rails 28.

Movable on the rails 28 is an inverted U-shaped carrier 30. The carrier 30 at one end is provided with a. through opening 3| for receiving one of the rails 29, and at an opposite end is provided with a clamp assembly 32 that accommodates the other rail 29 and embodies a binding screw 33 that threads through one side of the clamp 32 to bind against said rail 29 to secure the carriage 30 at the desired position of adjustment lengthwise or the splint.

The carriage 30 embodies a clamp including a fixed member 34 and a coacting jaw 35 that at one end thereof is hinged as at 36 to the carriage.

The jaw member 35 has associated therewith a threaded bolt 31 that extends inwardly therefrom and works through an opening provided in the clamp member 34. Threaded on the bolt 31 is a wing nut 38 that, when threaded home against the carriage, causes the jaw member 35 to move inwardly to coact with the member 34 for clamping therebetween the shank 36 of a syringe clamp indicated generally by the reference numeral 31.

The clamp 31 embodies a pair of jaws 38 integral with the shank 36 and adapted to be drawn together through the medium of bolt and nut means 39 for clamping therebetween the syringe needle assembly 40.

Thus through the medium of the carriage 30 and the clamp 37 for the syringe needle assembly 49 carried thereby, said assembly 66 may be held at the desired position of adjustment and in a manner to permit effective use of the needle and without requiring the continuous attention of doctors and nurses during the administration of such intravenous infusion or transfusion.

Also in accordance with the present invention the splint board 5 at the end thereof equipped with the rest 15 is provided on its edge with a suitable guide 5| for the tourniquet tube 62 as shown.

When it is understood that in the administrations of intravenous infusions and transfusions it is necessary that the patient hold the arm perfectly motionless and in a very unnatural and uncomfortable position, a splint of this character will be greatly appreciated. This is for the reason that, as believed to be apparent, with a splint of this character the arm, while held in a somewhat unnatural position, is comfortably supported, and further is held in position against casual movement, thus guarding against the dangers of untoward movement of the arm with resultant likelihood of unnecessary pain being caused the patient.

Further, and as previously herein stated, with the use of a splint embodying the features of the present invention, such intravenous infusions and transfusions may be administered while the patient is in an ambulance, enroute to the hospital, and also while a patient is being transferred from one bed to another.

Also with a splint of this character it will not be necessary to watch, as carefully as heretofore required, a patient that is unconscious, delirious, or still under the effects of an anaesthesia postoperatively, who is being given such infusion or transfusion. Consequently the parties engaged in the administration of the infusion or transfusion, under such conditions will be allowed sufficient respite from watching the patient'to do other necessary tasks such as the taking of pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and the charting of other important diagnostic factors.

It will also be apparent that the splint is adjustable so as to fit practically any size of arm ranging from that of a child to an adult.

While we have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that we claim all such forms of the invention to which we are entitled in view of the prior art and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a surgical splint for immobilizing the patients forearm and the intravenous needle relative to one another incidental to the administration of intravenous infusions and transfusions, and embodying a rigid splint-board for application to the forearm of v the patient and provided adjacent one end thereof with a rest having an inclined surface for supporting the arm of the patient immediately above the elbow joint, and at a relatively opposite end thereof with a rest for supporting the arm of the patient at the wrist, with the arm of the patient in a position of supination, and means for positively securing the splint-board to the arm of the patient with the arm in the position mentioned and consisting of a clamp on the board adjacent the first-mentioned rest and embodying a jaw fixed relative to the board and a coacting jaw movable transversely of the board into a position of adjustment relative to the fixed jaw; said board being provided with dovetail grooves, and said movable jaw being provided with dovetail tongues working in said grooves, and said board intermediate said grooves provided in the face thereof with a rack, and a latch member slidably mounted on the movable jaw for movement relative thereto perpendicularly with respect to the board and into and out of engagement with said rack for positively securing the movable jaw in the desired position of adjustment.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a surgical splint for immobilizing the patients forearm and the intravenous needle relative to one another incidental to the administration of intravenous infusions and transfusions, and embodying a rigid splint-board for application to the forearm of the patient and provided adjacent one end thereof with a rest having an inclined surface for supporting the arm of the patient immediately above the elbow joint, and at a relatively opposite end thereof with a rest for supporting the arm of the patient at the wrist, with the arm of the patient in a position of supination, and means for positively securing the splint-board to the arm of the patient with the arm in the position mentioned and consisting of a clamp on the board adjacent the first-mentioned rest and embodying a jaw fixed relative to the board and a coacting jaw movable transversely of the board into a position of adjustment relative to the fixed jaw; said board being provided with dovetail grooves, and said movable jaw being provided with dovetail tongues working in said grooves, and said board intermediate said grooves provided in the face thereof with a rack, and a latch member slidably mounted on the movable jaw for movement relative thereto perpendicularly with respect to the board and into and out of engagement with said rack for positively securing the movable jaw in the desired position of adjustment; together with an adjustable restraining strap secured to the second-mentioned rest and having a part provided with a thumb-accommodating slot for securing the hand of the patient at the wrist on the secondnamed rest with the palm of the hand facing upwardly and the thumb extended through the slot in said strap.

, 3. As a new article of manufacture, a surgical splint for immobilizing the patients forearm and the intravenous needle relative to one another incidental to the administration of intravenous infusions and transfusions, and embodying a rigid splint-board for application to the forearm of the patient and provided adjacent one end thereof with a rest having an inclined surface for supporting the arm of the patient immediately above the elbow joint, and at a relatively opposite end thereof with a rest for supporting the arm of the patient at the wrist, with the arm of the patient in a position of supination, and means for positively securing the splint-board to the arm of the patient with the arm in the position mentioned and consisting of a clamp on the board adjacent the first-mentioned rest and embodying a jaw fixed relative to the board and a coacting jaw movable transversely of the board into a position of adjustment relative to the fixed jaw; said board being provided with dovetail grooves, and

said movable jaw being provided with dovetail tongues working in said grooves, and said board intermediate said grooves provided in the face thereof with a rack, and a latch member slidably mounted on the movable jaw for movement relative thereto perpendicularly with respect to the board and into and out of engagement with said rack for positively securing the movable jaw in the desired position of adjustment; together with an adjustable restraining strap secured to the second-mentioned rest and having. a part provided with a' thumb-accommodating slot for securing the hand of the patient at the wrist on the second-named rest with the palm of the hand facing upwardly and the thumb extended through the slot in said strap; pairs of posts rising from said board at opposite edges thereof, guide rails supported between the posts and extending longitudinally of the board, and a carriage for an intravenous needle or syringe extending between the rails and movable therealong, said carriage having an end provided with a through opening accommodating one of the rails for slidably and pivotally connecting the carriage with said one rail, said carriage at the opposite end thereof provided with a clamp slidably engaging the other of said rails and equipped for binding engagement with the second-named rail for securing the clamp in a fixed position of adjustment.

4. In a splint for use in. administering intravenous infusions and transfusions, a rigid splint-board adapted to be securely applied to the arm of the patient and embodying a rest for the arm in the region of the wrist and hand, and an adjustable strap secured to said rest and provided with a slot to accommodate thethumb of the hand in a manner to secure the hand on the rest with the palm thereof facing upwardly.

. ANTHONY J; MAZZEO.

THEODORE REICHZBAU'M. 

